Tricycle



(No Model.) O. BEER 8:, R. BOND.

TRIOYGLE.

No. 429,715. Patented June 10,1890.

uuuuuwma UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CARL BEER AND RICHARD BOND, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

TRICYCLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 429,715, dated June 10, 1890. Application filed March 24, 1890. Serial No. 345,012. (No model.)

To to whom it may concern.-

Be it known that we, CARL BEER and RICH- ARD BOND, citizens of the United States of America, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Tricycles, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to veloeipedes, and more particularly to tricycles arranged for 00- cupants of either sex, and wherein the treadle is attached to a pitman pivotally coupled to the crank-axleof the hind drive-wheels and suspended in front to the frame by a pendulum-link; and it consists in asimple and convenient device by which the treadle is made adjustable longitudinally upon the pitman to accommodate it for different-sized occupants, all as will be more fully hereinafter described, and specifically claimed. 7

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents a sectional elevation of a tricycle embodying our improvements; Fig. 2, a side elevation, and Fig. 3 a plan view, of the pitman with the treadle and pendulum-link detached; and Fig. 4 is a cross-section on line 4 a in Fig. 2.

Corresponding letters of reference in the several figures of the drawings designate like parts.

A denotes the frame, usually formed of gaspipe, with the seat B resting on semi-elliptic springs secured upon the rear vertical portions of frame A, to which below such seat B by sleeve couplings are also secured the bracket-bearings (Z for crank-shaft D, having rigidly mounted upon its exterior ends the drive-wheels E. Upon the forward end of the frame, also by sleeve-couplings, is secured the tubular bearing f for the upper trunnion of the bifurcated standard g, in which is pivoted the pilot-wheel G, a crank secured upon such trunnion having pivoted a rod h with a handle in convenient position for the occupant to direct the course of this pilot-Wheel G.

To a rearward]y-extending eyed bracket of tubular bearing f is pivoted the upper end of pendulum-link I, the lower end of which is bifurcated, and to the lower eyed ends of the prongs of this link I are pivotally connected the forward eyed ends of the pitman J. This pitman J is usually composed of a U-shaped forward end, the two prongs of which are parallel with each other, of the shank K, secured in a socket formed to the central portion of the bow-connection of prongs j, and of a compensable journal-box Z, secured upon the opposite or rear end of shank K, pivotally coupling with crank-shaft D. The prongs j of this pitman J have to their upper edges a series of rectangular lugs an equal distance apart, and upon each such prong j is placed an oval sleeve 91,, the opening in which sleeves vertically is sufficient to clear the lugs m and to be shifted over the same. In its top each such sleeve n is provided with a slot 0 of a size to admit and engage either one of the lugs m, while the length of each sleeve 11 is equal to the space between two adjacent lugs, whereby such sleeves n can be adj usted either by being inserted between two such lugs m or their slots to engage one or the other of these lugs m, thus providing nearly twice the number of adjusting positions than the nnmber of lugs m to each prong j. Each sleeve 12 is also transversely slotted in its bottom, and in each such slot is suspended a small pendulum-bar 19, provided with trunnions q, that pivotally rest in the opening of sleeve 01 at both sides of its bottom slot. The short portion of these pendulum-bars 19 above trunnions 1, by the overweight of their pendent lower ends, will be held to abut against the lower edges of prongs j of the pitman J, thereby holding the sleeves n from being lifted or from disengagement with the lugs 1n after adj ustment,while, for adjusting, the bars 19 are swung to one side, when the sleeves can belifted to slide over lugs m to the desired position for engagement with or between the proper lugs, when, with releasing, the bars p will at once assume again a vertical position for locking the sleeves on their acquired position. The two sleeves a being rigidly connected by a cylindrical cross-bar 0', the rectangular t-readle S, provided with eye-lugs s at its bottom ends, is pivoted thereon, and for the purpose that said treadle S will not turn upside down, the cross-bar r is provided on its upper edge near its ends with project.- ing lugs or feat-hers t, and the treadle S has notches a, shouldering against lugs or feath' ers 2, thereby allowing a limited swinging movement of the treadle sufficient for accommodating itself to the varying angular positions of the feet of the rider during his propelling operations.

It will be readily seen that with the device shown the treadle can be instantly adj usted upon the pitman to the most com modious position for anysized occupant, and after thus adjusted it will be automz'itically locked to be rigid with such pitman.

The face of treadle S is serrated for aitording a better foothold thereon.

\Vhat we claim is- 1. In a tricycle of the class described, and in combination with the bifurcated pitman thereof, and with a series of lugs m to the prongs of such pitman, the sleeves 11, connected by cross-bar 'r and sliding over the prongs of the pitman for engagement with either lugs m, and treadle S, secured upon cross-bar r, all substantially as set forth.

2. In a tricycle of the class described, and in combination with the bifurcated pitman thereof, and with a series of lugs m to the prongs of such pitman, the sleeves 7'1, connected by cross-bar "r and sliding over the prongs of the pitman to engage between either two lugs m, slots 0 in these sleeves for engaging either lugs m, and treadle S, secured upon cross-bar 1', all substantially as set forth.

In a tricycle of the class described, and in combination with the bifurcated pitman thereof, and with a series of lugs m to the prongs of such pitman,the sleeves n,conneeted by cross-bar r and sliding over the prongs of the pitman to engage between either two lugs m, slots 0 in these sleeves to engage either lug m of treadle S, pivotally secured upon cross-bar "r, and pendulum-bars p, suspended in sleeves n and abutting against the prongs of the pitman for locking the parts, all sub stantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof we af'lix on rsiguatu res in presence of two witnesses.

CARL BEER. RICHARD BOND. Witnesses:

WILLIAM II. Lo'rz, ()TTO LUEnKnR'r. 

